USA today-Massage Reduces Muscle Inflammation, Enhances Muscle Growth

Massage doesn’t just feel good—it also reduces inflammation of the muscles and generates cellular energy-production, according to a new study.

PRLog - Feb. 2, 2012 - EDINA, Minn. -- Researchers led by Justin Crane of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging instructed 11 male participants to perform a vigorous workout that was guaranteed to leave their muscles sore and stiff. Following the exercise, the men were given a 10-minute Swedish massage on one leg. The other leg was used as a control.

The researchers examined the muscle cells using gene-profiling techniques. They found that the massaged limbs switched on genes that block inflammation. In addition, the kneaded muscles showed higher activation of pathways that promote mitochondria, the structures inside cells that generate energy.

Mitochondria aid cells in capturing and using oxygen, so fitter muscles tend to have more mitochondria.

Because post-exercise massage appears to enhance those gene pathways, the new research suggests that massage could play an important role in muscle pain relief and muscle building.

"There's general agreement that massage feels good, now we have a scientific basis for the experience," said study co-author Simon Melov, as quoted by USA Today.

The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.